Man gets warning of more jail time after breaching intervention order

By
SEAN McCOMISH

July 8, 2014, 4 a.m.

A MAN has narrowly avoided serving jail time after breaching an intervention order.

A MAN has narrowly avoided serving jail time after breaching an intervention order.

Robert Wheeler, 33, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court yesterday to charges that he sent dozens of text messages to his ex-partner, breaching a 2013 intervention order.

“On the 21st of January an intervention order was granted in the Sunshine Magistrates Court,” police prosecutor Senior Constable Paul Harris said.

But days later Wheeler sent dozens of messages to his ex-partner in January 2013 ranging from abuse to attempts at reconciliation.

The Warrnambool court heard the accused had been in a relationship with the victim for five years prior to the order.

Wheeler’s defence counsel said he had not contacted the victim for more than 18 months since the breach.

The court also heard Wheeler was attending WRAD for drug and alcohol counselling and had completed the bridge program.

Magistrate Peter Mellas sentenced Wheeler to a three months’ jail, suspended for six months.

He warning there was worse to come if he reoffended.

“Since the offending occurred in January last year you’ve served a jail sentence. Breaching the intervention order will lead you to serve more time in jail,” Mr Mellas said.